Mold FAQ: Winning The War On Mold And Mildew

* Does bleach kill mold?

Yes, bleach kills mold. It is an effective chemical for killing all kinds of molds. Bleach is an acid, and acids are effective killers of microorganisms. However, take care in handling bleach, as acids are known to be as hard on your skin as on the molds.

Most bleach contains chlorine, a chemical that is used commercially to kill microorganisms in public water supplies and swimming pools. Chlorine is also known to be a good choice for killing molds and disinfecting your home.

Just be sure that the bleach you buy does contain chlorine, because there are several non-chlorine bleaches on the market. There are also levels of acidity for chlorine. Strong chlorine is best for killing molds.


* Can I clean and restore all the items in my home that have been affected by mold?

Yes. Things that have been affected by molds can be cleaned and restored in many ways. The easiest way is simply with detergent soaps, but detergent will only clean things that have been mildly affected by mold.

Another way to clean up mold is to use any of the chemical products available commercially. Most of these chemicals not only clean but it disinfect and kill molds or fungi. When the molds have been killed, restoring items becomes much easier.


* What should I do if I?ve cleaned the mold but it keeps coming back?

The best thing to do when molds keep coming back is to prevent its growth. This can be done by acting quickly on water leaks that will cause dampness and encourage mold growth.

Try to reduce humidity. Reducing humidity means reducing the growth of molds. Using air conditioners or dehumidifiers is one effective way of reducing humidity.

Prevention of condensation is another way of keeping molds from coming back. You can prevent condensation by reducing humidity. Increasing ventilation is another way.

Keeping your home dry will ensure your home is mold-free.

If you've significantly reduced the humidity and condensation in your home and the mold is still growing, you've most likely got a problem area in your home that you may not be aware of. Perhaps you have previous water damage that was not cleaned properly, or you may have a leaky pipe. When all is said and done, you may need to call in a mold remediation specialist.


* How do I know when the mold cleanup is complete?

The simple answer is that you'll know the mold cleanup is complete when there is no visible mold remaining. There should also be no dust or dirt remaining that could contain large amounts of mold and mold spores.

Once this has been accomplished, testing for mold is really not necessary. Leaving a few mold spores behind is not a problem if the moisture problem that caused the mold in the first place has been corrected. Keep in mind that mold spores are virtually everywhere. Even if every mold spore is removed during the cleanup, spores from outside will re-enter the house or building. However, the mold spores will not be able to grow unless moisture is present.

Maye Teasdale is editor of Mold Tip, the online guide to Mold. She also writes Mold FAQ's for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

Mold and Colds - Does Black Mold Cause Common Colds

Colds and mold symptoms are very simalar hence the reason why mold and your average colds are commonly placed together.. It can also be said that mold and colds are alike because toxic black mold can hurt the immunity system. The bodies lack of antibodies from the mold symptoms will a breakdown in the system.

The common black mold symptoms and every day colds are created by having to many harmful toxins in the body. Since mold toxins are know to cause fungisitis, which is referred as black mold in the nose. Colds become a habitual symptom. The excess mucas which has spores will create fungus that can be harmful to the system, especiallywhen being a young child, elderly, or allergenic sufferer. Many popular molds such as aspergillus and stachybotrys are know to be related to molds and colds. These black molds are the most recognized in common house holds and basements and can become a problem if not taken care of correctly.

If one is looking to prevent mold correctly, be sure to take care of any water damage events that happen in the home or office. If a wet drywall is left untouched and not removed, it is very common to begin seeing black mold on the surfaces of those walls. Once these toxic spores attach and grow they will leave excrement in the air which you or your family can breathe in. This is a common occurence that causes problems with people associating mold symptoms and colds.

Stress, overwork, and a few other things are common causes of colds. When there is mold spores inside the body this causes more work for the body causing one to get sick. The mold spores will breakdown the body and more than usual you will find a cold to come around. Your nose will begin feel stuffy symptoms and have extra mucas. The best thing to do is talk to a doctor who understands mold and you could also look into an alternative method for black mold removal or hiring a certified mold inspector to look at the area, they will then write protocols for a qualified mold remediation and decontamination company.

Markus Skupeika Effective Mold Removal

Mold

Molds are fungal growths that reproduce asexually by means of spore formation. Their basic body consists of a threadlike growth called the mycelium, which sends out branches called hyphae. It is in the tips of these hyphae that spores are formed.

Molds are saprophytic in nature ? i.e., they depend on dead and decaying organic matter for their nutrition. They are found growing on rotting fruits and vegetables, on decomposing bread and biscuits, and on damp walls and ground. Mushrooms and bracket fungi are close relatives of molds; they all belong to the plant group of fungi.

The interrelation of molds with mankind has been closely studied. Molds are perennially found in all human habitats, which include homes, offices, schools, etc. Their favorite places of growth are kitchens, leaky ceilings, bathrooms and toilets. Molds can be both harmless and harmful. In fact, the lifesaving drug penicillin is made from the mold Penicillium notatum. Molds also find many functions in the food and beverage manufacture industry. Cheese, black tea and sausages are some foods that are made using molds. A typical type of mold, Neurospora crassa, is used for botanical study in laboratories.

However, the harm done by molds vastly outnumbers their benefits. Several strains of molds, such as Aspergillus and Stachybotrys chartarum, are toxic. Toxic molds release poisonous secondary metabolites in the air, called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can severely and adversely affect human health. Some disorders produced by toxic molds are asthma attacks, allergies, chronic bronchitis, heart seizures, lupus, fibromyalgia and even cancer. Molds also interfere with the mental development of children and may lead to amnesia in adults.

Concern about the rampant growth of molds is widely increasing in the wake of the hurricane disasters. Since molds propagate rapidly in damp conditions, several homes are infested with mold. Authorities are undertaking serious remedial measures. Air testing is being done to check the spread of the fungus. One of the treatment measures involves treating mold strains with bleach, as molds die in contact with chlorine. Treatment with ammonia has also proved to be beneficial.

However, mold prevention first begins at home. Molds thrive in humid conditions. Hence, the disposal of any accumulated water is the preliminary step. All leakages must be mended and water must not be allowed to clog anywhere. Molds have a typical musty odor. If this odor is detected, there must be an immediate and thorough investigation of the source.


Mold provides detailed information on Mold, Toxic Mold, Black Mold, Mold Inspection and Testing and more. Mold is affliated with Toxic Mold Symptoms

Break the Mold!

A rut can lurk underneath even the most comfortable lifestyle. Sometimes, it can be easier to stay with what feels familiar, rather than take the initiative to make adjustments. Change can seem a lot harder when things are going well. Indeed, such comfort can add to the unease, as we are likely to feel guilty and critical of our dissatisfaction, appreciating how fortunate we are compared to many others.

Are you finding reasons to DO instead of not to do? One of the reasons people choose (and everything is a choice) to stay in situations they do not like is because they are afraid of losing something or someone. They do not specifically fear change, but they fear what familiarities they may have to let go of. You may have an image of yourself that will be shaken if you make different choices. You may have 'investments' in time, money, energy, relationships that you don't want to let go of. What are you afraid of losing, or who, if you take a risk, and make different choices.

The good news is, getting out of a rut can be as simple as getting a new haircut, or as involved as going back to school. But both start by taking that first step. If you start your sentences with, "Someday, when," you're putting your life on hold. What you have is NOW.

You can't focus on all the things that aren't right in your life and expect to fix them over night. Aim for small achievable goals, this way you can't fail. AND, try to remember to have some fun on the way. Otherwise, why bother? So call your hairdresser. Apply for college. Begin a workout routine. Sign up for music lessons or write that book you?ve been thinking about. NOW is a great time for new beginnings, so take that first step today. Get up, get going and get out of your rut. When you face your fears, experiment with new approaches, and then take consistent action, no matter how small the steps, you will feel a sense of empowerment and increase your confidence.

Feeling like you are stuck in a rut can suck all of the energy out of you. Don?t stay in it. Just make some simple changes to bust out of the mold and then be on your delighted, invigorated way! You can do it!

Mary Kay Buttery, 2006

"I wanted to live deep, and suck out all the marrow of life."

Henry David Thoreau

Mary Kay is a natural healer, passionate that people discover simplicity and fulfillment in their everyday experiences. She facilitates live events and is available for private and phone consultations. Be sure to visit her website and sign up for her *FREE* Monthly Newsletter, which is filled with inspirational, motivational and helpful information on creating a life you truly love. If you want Mary Kay to speak at an event in your area or you want to contact her: call 702-239-5451 or e-mail marykay@sfgtd.com

Mold Air Purifier

While many people are truly concerned about pollens and treat it as a seasonal threat, there are not many who are too sure about what threats a mold could possess. There are those who feel that they are the source of some unpleasant air but do not pose any health threats, there are others who know that molds can have serious effects on our lungs and respiratory tract but are not quite sure if air purifiers can help.

Let us accept the fact that molds are part of the nature and they are not bad by themselves. They play a vital role in the decomposition of leaves and trees. But their importance is limited to outdoors. They are not meant to be indoors and they have nothing useful to do indoors. In fact if they find moist or wet surfaces they can easily multiply and can be a cause for your discomfort or even illness.

Problem with molds are that they are much too small to be trapped by the cilia in our sinuses and are not big enough to be exhaled out. So once breathed in with air, it gets lodged in the lung tissue. Now some of these molds, called mycotoxins can be toxic in nature and that is a severe threat to our health. The molds can also cause allergic reactions in many and it can aggravate asthmatic problems.

The best purifiers to deal with mold are the ones which come with HEPA filters. A HEPA filter is built to trap any particulate larger than 0.3 microns. The size of molds generally vary between 3 to 100 microns although there are some that can be as small as 1 micron. So, with a HEPA filter in place you will be able to tackle all the molds that may be there in your room.

Electronic air purifiers are also effective at removing molds as they are large enough in size to be trapped by the electronic versions. However, these purifiers will not be able to address the issue of odors which come with molds. For that you have to have a purifier which comes with activated carbon filter which absorbs the odor.

So, in a way, molds in our home pose an invisible threat. We might not see them, but it can really bother us as we can either have allergic reactions or someone having a history of asthma severely affected by it.

Jason Uvios writes about Mold Air Purifier on to visit :- air purifier, air filters and air purifiers

The Dangers and Benefits of Mold in Real Estate Deals

I bought a house with a very leaky roof about the same time I completed a training course on mold rehab and remediation. As luck would have it, Jeanne Townsley-Smith, the teacher of my course and a Certified Mold Remediation Specialist, wanted to make an offer on the house two years earlier when it was still an REO (Real Estate Owned by the bank). But it was a war zone full of mold and priced too high for the condition of the house.

While hearing from Jeanne how moldy the house was two years ago, I wanted to know what was under that fresh coat of paint the bank impressed me with when I bought the house. Was it a cover up? What did I really buy? Jeanne and I were both curious to see how bad the "hidden mold" had become.

From Jeanne, I learned mold can be both beneficial and dangerous. I learned mold is necessary to fight bacteria, but it can be hidden well enough that it makes people sick without their knowledge. Although some types of mold only agitate allergies, other types can be toxic to humans and pets. The toxic molds that are commonly found in houses that have had water damage can cause serious health problems.

Mold can also be visible enough to scare away buyers, renters or lending companies for potential investors. Although I didn't see any mold when I purchased my house with a leaky roof, I wanted to know if my house contained the hidden version.

Jeanne and I decided we would have a mold rehab training class in my new house. During a six-hour training course, Jeanne and her partner, Mark Murrison, armed us with all the personal protective equipment we needed: tyvek suits, goggles, gloves and respirators.

The students and I didn't think we would find much mold as we started removing the drywall from the kitchen ceiling. We were wrong. The exposed back side of the drywall was covered in black and gray mold, mold that been feasting on the paper backing!

As a result of our discovery from the ceiling, Jeanne wanted to remove the kitchen cabinets because possible mold growth and damage might be hidden behind the cabinets, the wall and the plumbing. I thought the cabinets were worth keeping until I saw what was behind them: water marks and mold six to eight inches high around the entire perimeter on the back of every cabinet.

Even though the drywall behind the cabinets didn't have much visible mold, we removed it anyway. They were WORSE! We discovered that the condensation line from the AC had been draining on the floor for many years. The water that laid there was wicked into the drywall. When it never dried out, mold grew. And grew and grew. It grew three to four feet high on the drywall.

And the bank painted over it!

An unsuspecting family that might have liked the kitchen cabinets would probably never have known...until they couldn't breathe.

Now that we uncovered the mold, we had to clean it up. But not with bleach. Bleach actually wipes the head of mold off and bleaches it white. When it's white, you can't see it anymore. Only it can still reproduce and make it hard for you to breathe.

The mold infestation in the kitchen made me wary of the rest of the house, especially the bathroom. It had been completely remodeled by the bank before the sale. They installed a new vanity, toilet and tub with surround. The bathroom, as well as the whole house, was freshly painted. But what was this paint covering up? Only removing the drywall in the bathroom will reveal the answer.

Morals of the story: 1) If you buy a house with a mold problem, use it to get an even deeper discount. 2) Suspect freshly painted houses by the bank. 3) Get trained by Jeanne at the Mold Institute Protocol Training Institute.

Deb McMillan, OPHP, CMI, is a real estate investor and writer, living in Hamilton, Ohio, and has written a home study course on Short Sale Success Systems detailing how to get deep discounts from the bank when buying pre-foreclosures. She teaches about bankruptcy and what you can and can't do once a homeowner files. Log on to http://www.shortsalesqueen.com for more information on how to make your deals close

Invasion of the Mold Spores

Mold spores. They almost sound like alien invaders from a 1950's sci-fi movie --"Attack of the Killer Mold Spores!" But that description may not be too far off the mark. Mold is dangerous. It can be more prevalent and can cause more health problems than termites, carbon monoxide, asbestos, or radon. In fact, mold is everywhere and impossible to get rid of in nature. According to the EPA website, "There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture." From one third to one half of all buildings in the United States have the damp conditions necessary to facilitate the growth of mold, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mold and mold spores can cause serious health problems and, in the case of someone with mold sensitivities, even death. Many people are vaguely aware of the health concerns when it comes to mold but most do not know that mold can also cause serious damage to a house or building (similar to a termite infestation.) When it comes to protecting your family and your home, fighting and preventing mold should be at the top of every homeowner's list.

WHAT IS MOLD?

The simple answer: molds are part of the fungi kingdom, similar to yeasts or mushrooms (the antibiotic Penicillin is actually a mold.)Mold is a living organism, a part of nature, and even has a beneficial function - it breaks down all of our dead organic matter. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores, invisible to the naked eye, into the air. These spores land in moist areas and begin to grow and spread. While there are hundreds of thousands of varieties of mold, none would exist without the presence of moisture, air, and something to feed on. Since mold will always exist outdoors, it is important to control the one ingredient a homeowner doesn't need inside the house - moisture.

Mold can grow on rotting wood, grass, weeds, and compost piles. The problem is that it can also grow where you don't want it to - indoors. It can be found on food or clothing, in bathrooms and attics and damp basements, on carpeting, and even inside the walls of a house. Mold can feed on the wood in the wall, breaking down the materials as it spreads unseen throughout a house. As the mold digests organic material, it continues to spread to find new food sources.

Spotting mold can be easy, if the mold colony is visible. Mold comes in a variety of colors (including white, black, green, gray, brown, and more), bunching as spots or discolorations. If the mold is not visible, someone may not recognize mold is present until it is late in the process. People discover mold when there is physical damage to a structure or an increase in musty smells. Sometimes mold won't be found until the occupants experience health problems. By then, it may be too late. Whenever a house or building has an overexposure to moisture, it is important to inspect for mold. Moisture overexposure can come from many sources, including: o Floods o Roofs or basements that leak o Irrigation or fire sprinklers o Shower or bath water o Sink or sewer overflow o Humidifiers o Plumbing leaks

WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT MOLD?

There are two main reasons to worry about the spread of mold in a building. The most important consideration - mold can cause health problems. The second consideration - property damage. Frank Foreman, President & CEO of NO ODOR, Inc, a mold remediation company, believes mold is coming to the forefront because everyone is learning that mold damage can affect property value. Let's start with the health issues. Molds produce allergens that can cause reactions such as sneezing, runny noses, even asthma attacks in those allergic to it. It can even cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes to those who are not allergic. Certain molds can also release toxins (mycotoxins) that cause more serious problems. According to the Mold Help Organization, exposure to these mycotoxins could cause people "to suffer from a myriad of serious symptoms and illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more" (http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/478/).

Because many people are not as aware or concerned about the health threats of mold, it is also important to consider the damage it can cause to property. Everyone tends to pay more attention to a problem when it affects the wallet. A home or business is the largest investment most people have. A colony or colonies of mold can cause severe devastation. According to the EPA website, "If you already have a mold problem - act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause" (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcleanup.html).

Mold can cause structural damage to a building, because it feeds on and breaks down the organic matter (wood, mostly) within the structure. When mold grows in the walls, on insulation, or under carpeting, these items must be removed from the building. In addition to the damage caused to the building, mold may destroy personal items in the home. It can attach to personal property which may be very difficult or impossible to clean. Often the item will have to be destroyed because the mold cannot be completely removed. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE MOLD?

For the most part, since mold is everywhere, it is impossible to completely avoid all indoor molds. The key to preventing mold is to control the moisture levels indoors. The EPA website states, "If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back" (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldbasics.html).

For small areas, usually a moldy section of 9 to 10 square feet, the home or business owner can usually clean up the mold themselves. For larger areas, it is important to hire a professional mold removal contractor to make sure the problem is taken care of safely.

If you have a small patch of black, green or gray colored spots, Frank Foreman, of NO ODOR, Inc., has a smart tip to determine whether or not it is mold: put some hydrogen peroxide on the growth and watch the reaction. Almost everyone has one of those brown bottles of the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in their medicine cabinet, so he suggests putting it in a clean spray bottle and spraying the colored spots. If the solution runs down the wall and there is no reaction, then the spots are not growths of mold (it could possibly just be dirt.) Since mold is a living organism, when sprayed with the hydrogen peroxide, there will be an oxidation process. If you hit it and the growth starts to foam up with white foam, then you know you are dealing with mold.

For small amounts of mold, many sources recommend using a combination of water and detergent to clean the moldy surfaces. However, Frank Foreman recommends using only products that are approved by the EPA to kill mold. He further states that care and precaution need to be taken when doing the cleanup by an individual. "Mold is a living organism and it can travel easily when disturbed. Someone may wash away half of the mold and the other half might release mold spores that can escape to another source of moisture in the home. Or worse, into the A/C or heating system which can spread mold spores to every room in the house," claims Foreman.

Foreman also suggests that someone with a mold problem should really educate themselves before hiring a professional to remove toxic mold. "The mold removal industry is completely unregulated. There are no federal, state, or local regulations that govern mold removal professionals." This means, according to Foreman, with no standards, there is no way to prove the job was done or that it is done right. "Only seventy to eighty percent of all mold removal jobs are done right, which means the property owner is going to have residual problems."

He says that it is important to shop around, to get references, and to scan the Internet to learn as much as possible about toxic mold and mold removal. "Education is the key. Learn the basics so you can talk to the remediation expert and you'll have a good idea if he or she really knows what they're doing."

Mold removal methods vary from company to company. But the process can be complicated and expensive. For example, if a 10' x 10' bedroom has two walls infested with mold, it may be necessary to seal off that portion of the house, remove all wall boards until there are no more visible signs of mold growth. Next, the remediation pro will have to hand sand away the mold. Then, a mold killing detergent will be washed over the surface. The exposed area will then be HEPA vacuumed to remove remnant spores. After the area is tested to make sure there is no more mold, new walls will have to be built back up and painted. As you can see, the process can be time consuming and very expensive. However, to save on excessive destruction, some professionals have been employing fiber optic technology to view within the walls or ceilings, looking for mold growth, before tearing down all the drywall.

If you have had a flooding problem or a major water leak, it is also important to contact your insurance company. Many do not know that insurance may cover the mold removal as well. However, most insurance companies are starting to put limits on mold removal coverage (sometimes keeping caps at $5000 to $10,000.) While it may sound like a lot of money, the insurance company will be giving you money to fix the damage and remove the mold. The mold removal process may cost more than repairing the damage caused by the water. For example, if the roof of a house comes off during a storm and causes water damage to the house, the insurance company may give a lump sum to cover the repairs to the roof, the damage inside, and the mold problem. By accepting their lump sum, you have to pay to replace the roof and damage from water but the money also has to cover the costs to remove the mold that may come days, weeks, or months later.

HOW CAN I PREVENT MOLD FROM COMING BACK?

Once you have removed the entire mold infestation from your property, it is still important to control moisture levels in the structure:

- If there is any kind of flooding, it is imperative you remove the water within 24 to 48 hours.

- Whenever possible, move wet items to a dry, well-ventilated place or outside to speed up the drying process. Remove drywall up to the height of the water level. Remove carpeting as soon as possible.

- Keep the indoor humidity low. If possible, keep below 60 percent relative humidity.

- If condensation or moisture collects on windows, walls or water pipes, dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

- Keep gutters clean and make sure water drains away from the building to prevent it from collecting around the foundation.

- Run or install venting fans in high moisture areas, like the bathroom.

- Run a dehumidifier in moist areas, such as a basement or bathroom.

- Ventilating areas can help reduce moisture, as well as keeping the temperature up or the air conditioner on. However, aim the air conditioning vents away from the condensing surfaces to prevent cold spots where moisture condensation can occur.

- Adding thermal insulation to walls, ceilings, and pipes can help, too (in fact, rust spots on any water pipes could be an indication there is too much moisture in a room. Adding insulation to the pipes is a good idea.)

Mold can be a very serious problem in homes and businesses and it is important to take care of the problem as soon as possible. The consequences to health and property can be severe. While remediation of mold can be expensive, the damage mold can cause could be even worse. Frank Foreman has seen many cases where it is actually cheaper for the homeowner to knock down and rebuild an entire house rather than remove the existing mold infestation. Keep in mind some of the potential signs that mold may be growing within a property:

* Unexplained discoloration on a surface

* Musty or earthy odor

* Dark spots on or around vents

* Water stains anywhere

* Peeling or curling of floors or wallpaper

Do your homework and hire a professional to handle even moderate mold problems as soon as possible. If one is not sure where to look for a mold removal and remediation specialist, there are services that can help everyone find a local professional. One example would be the service provided by ConstructionDeal.com - they have a network of pre-screened mold removal companies and one can register any mold problem for free. Simply visit http://www.constructiondeal.com and they can help anyone find a local mold removal specialist today. Whenever a home or business owner believes there are signs of mold growth within their property, he or she should contact a professional as soon as possible to avoid future problems or costs. Attack those "Killer Mold Spores" before your own personal home invasion gets any worse. Timothy K. Clark is the Director of Marketing for the valuable website ConstructionDeal.com (http://www.constructiondeal.com) which specializes in fulfilling all the construction needs of homeowners and general contractors. We match project owners with contractors for residential and commercial improvement, repair, or remodeling work.